Hints and Tips: Rabbits (updated 3/8/16)

***When you are first starting out in rabbits, find a good breeder. Don't just buy from anyone. Find a breeder that will help you find the right choice of breed for you...even if it isn't purchased from them. Don't fall for the "meat breed" from backyard breeders. Though they are probably good rabbits, put your money in something that will give you the best growth and meet the Standard of Perfection for the breed that you want to raise. You won't regret it in the long run. Crappy bred rabbits will eat just as much as the better stock, if not more. If you are going to spend the money on feed, etc to raise them, start out right.

*** If you have to warm a whole litter of baby rabbits at once, you can put them in a gallon ziplock bag (leave the bag open!) and put them in a very warm bowl of water. They float on top of the water. Make sure to keep an eye on everything though. I have had the bags leak and about drowned the poor little guys! Once they warm up, you can take them out and put them back in the nest.
      If you have only a bunny or two that need to be warmed up, you can get a cup of very warm water and hold the bunny by the head and hold the body in the water. We have saved a lot of babies doing this method. Dry them completely.

***ALWAYS be aware of the normal sounds of your rabbitry. If you hear something that's not normal, go check it out immediately. Did I hear a sneeze? Go check it out. Make sure it's just somebody that got water up their nose. It only takes a second to go look. If someone is sick, get them to isolation.

*** Always check babies. You need to make sure everyone looks like they have been eating. Do they have a fat little belly or are they skinny? Mother rabbits don't constantly feed their babies. Don't be alarmed if you don't see her in her nest box. She will get in, feed them, and get out. However, all rabbits are different, just like people. Some will do something one way, some another way. I have a few mothers that will sit in the front of the box, with the babies in their nest behind her. That's fine too.  That's the way she wants  to do things, so let her be happy. I cringe when I hear people say to not touch the babies. I make sure the mother is done having them. If  I see her working, I leave her alone and come back later. You will know when she is done. She will be relaxed and eating or just laying down. I then reach in the nest, feel for wiggling babies and to make sure the nest is warm. If things feel right, I leave them alone. (If there are dead ones, take them out). Later in the evening, we will remove the box to visually inspect and count them, making sure to not disturb the nest any more then you have to. Good does will know you are not going to hurt the babies. They will come check the babies out as soon as you put the box back in and probably go lay back done. YOUR rabbits know YOU. You are the ones that they are used to and they trust you. We do not let other people touch them or handle the newborns.

***Always check water when you go to the rabbitry. Some days I have water with me when I do the critter checks throughout the day. Saves me a trip back to the house.

***When breeding, we always do at least three "fall offs". We then take the doe back to the buck after a few hours (more than two, less than eight) and get another three "fall offs". This has proven over the years to be very effective and has increased the chances of the doe getting pregnant.